Lower School Long Term Substitute Pre-K-5 Mandarin Chinese Teacher

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset.

We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.

Working under the direction of the Lower School Director, the Long-Term Substitute Mandarin Chinese Teacher will engage young learners in meaningful and developmentally appropriate Mandarin Chinese language instruction. This teacher will foster an immersive language environment, using engaging methods to build students’ foundational skills in Mandarin Chinese while connecting language learning to students’ lives and the broader curriculum. The substitute teacher will collaborate with classroom teachers and fellow specialists to create a joyful, student-centered learning experience.

• Provide engaging and interactive Mandarin Chinese instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 5
• Implement curriculum plans that support language acquisition through conversation, storytelling, play, and cultural exploration
• Create a warm and supportive classroom environment where all students feel encouraged to take risks and grow as language learners
• Use developmentally-appropriate teaching strategies and assessment methods to track student progress and adapt instruction accordingly
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure Mandarin Chinese language learning is integrated with classroom themes and broader school initiatives
• Maintain regular communication with families regarding student progress and classroom experiences
• Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Director or Head of School; examples include participating in the admissions process and taking part in all-school events and activities

• A degree in Mandarin Chinese, Elementary Education, or a related field is preferred
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and experience teaching young language learners in a school setting
• Knowledge of best practices for early language acquisition and proficiency-based language instruction
• Experience with Responsive Classroom or other student-centered teaching frameworks preferred
• Strong understanding of child development and the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Experience with dynamic educational technology integration and learning enhancement
• A willingness and eagerness to participate in the life of the School
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a commitment to building positive partnerships with colleagues and families
• A joyful enthusiasm for teaching Mandarin Chinese and working with young learners
• Flexibility, energy, creativity, high expectations, and a sense of humor

• Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission.
• Fair Play:
  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.
• Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.
• Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.
• Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.
• Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.

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